Identify Design Characteristics Research Articles

Patient financial incentives to improve asthma management: a systematic review

ObjectivesThe objectives of this systematic review are to identify studies that assess the effectiveness of patient-directed financial incentive interventions to improve asthma management behaviours, determine overall effectiveness of financial incentives,...

Identification of product and design characteristics of eucalyptus herbal tea bags

Eucalyptus leaves can also be used as herbal drinks to alleviate colds and coughs, in addition to being used as raw material for Eucalyptus oil. The leaves of Eucalyptus contain active compounds that can function as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral. One of the practical and easy to develop herbal drink items is herbal tea in a dye bag. This study aims to identify the characteristics of Eucalyptus tea products that meet customer requirements and to identify design characteristics that are critical to the development of Eucalyptus tea products. The method used in this research is the Quality Function Deployment (QFD). The results showed that product characteristics of Eucalyptus tea were efficacious, not too strong aromas, nice colors, quick brewing time, good taste, not too spicy, quality price, proper instructions, safe, halal, and long shelf life. Three critical design characteristics are defined, namely the type of supporting herbal materials from leaves or stem, and the best proportion of supporting herbal materials and Eucalyptus leaves that meets customer requirements.

Development of an Unobtrusive Sleep Monitoring System using a Depth Sensor

The elderly, who are isolated and neglected, can experience to an increased likelihood of age-related sleep disorders. Early detection, proper diagnosis, and treatments for sleep disorders can be achieved by identifying sleep behaviours through long-term monitoring. Although many studies developed sleep monitoring systems by using non-invasive measures, research is still limited to detect sleep behaviours using an infrared 3D depth camera. The present study has two main goals: a) identifying design characteristics on the existing sleep monitoring systems based on the extensive literature review; b) developing a non-invasive sleep monitoring system using a 3D depth camera. For the literature review, several journal papers have been reviewed to identify the design features, classification accuracy, and embedded algorithms of the existing sleep monitoring systems. For the system development, a sleep posture monitoring system was developed, using a Microsoft Kinect II depth sensor. For the validation of the developed system, the differences of sleep behaviours between the two participants were investigated. The developed system used an unobtrusive measure and it would be useful for long-term monitoring on sleep behaviours for the senior population.

The Role of inhabitant requirement in reforming the housing interface Sulaimani city as a case study

Architecture is civilized edifice , it have actions and reactions , already it places with historical distance . And housing as one of the architectural phenomena has been affected since ancient times and still changes in all levels of dimensions of life in terms of social and economic changes, intellectual and political , These changes affected the dwelling and the process of producing the external form. One of the most important variables that we observe in our daily lives is the change in the shape of the housing elevations , Requirements and needs of the resident . so the research aims to finding the design indicators to forming the housing elevations which compatible with alteration of resident requirement from the connection with housing characteristics which consider as one of the aims of house designing , it describe as the main scale for selecting house Performance efficiency . Through this research we can highlight the essence of resident requirements and Study the concept of architecture form of house elevation , Identify design characteristics and its components , The study examined the human requirements within the residential environment and its classification, studying the functional requirements and needs of the housing elevations, obtaining data and analyzing them, and then finding the indicators for changing the elevations according to the changing requirements by studying the correlation between the physical value of the dwelling, The theoretical foundations of applying these variables to a group of samples selected by the study community using the graphical analysis form, obtaining the data and tabulating them in special tables and reaching conclusions for the final recommendations.

Mixed methods in psychotherapy research: A review of method(ology) integration in psychotherapy science

Mixed methods can foster depth and breadth in psychological research. However, its use remains in development in psychotherapy research. Our purpose was to review the use of mixed methods in psychotherapy research. Thirty-one studies were identified via the PRISMA systematic review method. Using Creswell & Plano Clark's typologies to identify design characteristics, we assessed each study for rigor and how each used mixed methods. Key features of mixed methods designs and these common patterns were identified: (a) integration of clients' perceptions via mixing; (b) understanding group psychotherapy; (c) integrating methods with cases and small samples; (d) analyzing clinical data as qualitative data; and (e) exploring cultural identities in psychotherapy through mixed methods. The review is discussed with respect to the value of integrating multiple data in single studies to enhance psychotherapy research.

Establishing street trees in stormwater control measures can double tree growth when extended waterlogging is avoided

Cities around the world are embracing stormwater control measures (SCMs) to reduce the environmental damage caused by impervious runoff. At the same time, there is a push to increase tree canopy cover to green neighborhoods and mitigate urban heat. Establishing SCMs that include trees may achieve these two objectives, but it is important to understand which design characteristics promote or reduce tree health and growth. We therefore undertook an 18-month streetscape experiment comparing four tree pit SCM designs, along with a control (non-SCM) street tree planting, to identify design characteristics influencing the water balance and growth of newly planted trees (Acer campestre (L.)) in an established urban area dominated by clay soils. Trees in pits with an underdrain showed double the growth of conventionally planted street trees receiving no stormwater. However, the low exfiltration rates of some non-drained tree pits resulted in some tree pits experiencing waterlogging and subsequent poor tree growth or even death. In other non-drained tree pits, the heterogeneity of urban soils resulted in sufficiently high exfiltration rates to avoid waterlogging and promote increased tree growth, even in these heavy clay soils. Our results suggest that establishing tree growth can be substantially increased by directing stormwater into tree pits, however, waterlogging conditions should be avoided via an underdrain or limiting installation to soils with a sufficiently high exfiltration rate.

Multiuse trail intersection safety analysis: A crowdsourced data perspective

Real and perceived concerns about cycling safety are a barrier to increased ridership in many cities. Many people prefer to bike on facilities separated from motor vehicles, such as multiuse trails. However, due to underreporting, cities lack data on bike collisions, especially along greenways and multiuse paths. We used a crowdsourced cycling incident dataset (2005–2016) from BikeMaps.org for the Capital Regional District (CRD), BC, Canada. Our goal was to identify design characteristics associated with unsafe intersections between multiuse trails and roads. 92.8% of mapped incidents occurred between 2014 and 2016. We extracted both collision and near miss incidents at intersections from BikeMaps.org. We conducted site observations at 32 intersections where a major multiuse trail intersected with roads. We compared attributes of reported incidents at multiuse trail-road intersections to those at road-road intersections. We then used negative binomial regression to model the relationship between the number of incidents and the infrastructure characteristics at multiuse trail-road intersections. We found a higher proportion of collisions (38%, or 17/45 total reports) at multiuse trail-road intersections compared to road-road intersections (23%, or 62/268 total reports). A higher proportion of incidents resulted in an injury at multiuse trail-road intersections compared to road-road intersections (33% versus 15%). Cycling volumes, vehicle volumes, and trail sight distance were all associated with incident frequency at multiuse trail–road intersections. Supplementing traditional crash records with crowdsourced cycling incident data provides valuable evidence on cycling safety at intersections between multiuse trails and roads, and more generally, when conflicts occur between diverse transportation modes.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ И ИСПОЛНЕНИЯ ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОГО БЮДЖЕТА В СФЕРЕ ОБОРОННО-ПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО КОМПЛЕКСА РОССИИ

Importance: The presented research topic is particularly relevant in terms of development of market relations inRussia, when indicated problems whose solution determines the positive results of reforming the economic system, an important place in which occupies the militaryindustrial complex (MIC). Among them special urgency are those that relate to the need to develop such economic relations that would ensure and guarantee the efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability of defense enterprises. In the new economic conditions, it became necessary to address the problems of financial security organizations, the military-industrial complex, the creation of an effective system to manage this process during the crisis and the need to find ways to stabilize the reproduction process inRussia. The conversion of potential military-economic opportunities in the real military power takes place on the basis of the functioning of the military economy that ensures the production and distribution of arms and military equipment. The war economy is responsible, on the one hand, the economic opportunities of the country, on the other – the nature and requirements of modern warfare. It is designed to ensure the maintenance of a constant high combat readiness of the armed forces and must be able to rapidly increase its power to the level required for the breakdown of military aggression. Problems of realization of military and economic potential are determined by the degree of use of the military and economic opportunities, as well as the effective use of financial resources. Objectives: The aim of the article is to analyze the problems of the formation and execution of defense spending. Objectives of the article: identify design characteristics of the defense component of the federal budget during the crisis of Economic Development. Methods: Methodological basis of this article are of economic and statistical methods of analysis. Results: Given that the management of the defense industry will be converted, you must use the positive experience of the international economic order to ensure the sustainability of their financial security. However, in the interests of the state and society to establish an efficient funding of defense enterprises requires a special approach for the following reasons: an effective system of financing of defense enterprises need to ensure the economic security of the country; establish a mechanism of redistribution of financial resources through economic transformation strengthens state control over the targeted use of funds; necessary, new approaches to the assessment and decision-making to improve the financial sustainability of defense enterprises. From a stable financial situation of the company and the development of DIC depends on the economy as a whole. The study gives reason to believe that at the present time inRussiaslowed down the pace of development of defense industry enterprises, has developed an unbalanced branch structure. In this regard, the study of problems related to the development of theoretical and practical tools for assessing the financial security of defense enterprises require special attention. The implementation of sound financial and economic policy, improving financial support to enterprises of the military-industrial complex of the state, identifying ways to improve the financial sustainability in transformation of the market economy is an objective necessity. Conclusions and Relevance: The practical significance of the work lies in the orientation of the provisions of the conclusions and recommendations of the work on the widespread use in improving the mechanism for defense and security, and the proposals contained in the article (to improve the planning and use of funds allocated from the state budget on defense) may be used by the legislative and executive bodies the Russian Federation, including the Ministry of Defence, in the current activity.

Corporate social responsibility reporting platforms: enabling transparency for accountability

This paper presents a theoretical model of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting from an information processing perspective. It begins with a brief literature review of CSR, sustainable consumption, socially responsible investment, and sustainability reporting, followed by a summary of the reporting process in the context of the Global Reporting Index and the industry that has grown up around it. We begin model development by clarifying the sub-dimensional structure of organizational transparency in terms of IT capability and transparency culture, and distinguishing transparency from sustainability. We then dimensionalize the CSR report itself, and identify design characteristics of the reporting platform that support these dimensions. Following this, we discuss believability of the data relative to the needs of different constituents, primarily investors and ethical consumers. We then discuss the implications of the theoretical model and the future research streams it identifies. We close with a discussion of how reporting platforms can be designed with particular data users in mind, and describe the challenges of designing for the needs of ethical consumers.

How design characteristics of robots determine evaluation and uncanny valley related responses

Against the background of the uncanny valley hypothesis (Mori, 1970) and its conceptual shortcomings the present study aims at identifying design characteristics which determine the evaluation of robots. We conducted a web-based survey (N=151) with standardized pictures of 40 robots which were evaluated. A cluster analysis revealed six clusters of robots. We were able to identify different groups of robots which were rated significantly different on six dimensions. Interestingly, in two clusters robots were rated both low in human-likeness and low in “mechanical” indicating that in future research these adjectives should be used separately. The robots in those clusters with a high mean concerning “Threatening” are almost all bi-pedal robots. In contrast to the humanoid robots (cluster 5), the android robots (clusters 3 and 4) were rated higher on “Familiarity”, and on “Likability” although all three clusters (3, 4, and 5) were rated as “Threatening” which contrasts the uncanny valley hypothesis. Moreover, the data in the present study could not be explained by a cubic function as would be suggested by the graph proposed by Mori, but rather by linear or quadratic relationships.

Design Characteristics of the Written Inscriptions in Islamic Architecture

Buildings in Islamic architecture are characterized in general, in employing written inscriptions in many aspects of the building; as the external elements (facades, entrances, minarets, domes ...) as well as the internal elements of the building (mihrabs, minbars, columns, walls and ceilings of the Interior…). Employing written inscriptions has many characteristics which can be classified into two groups: the first are related to the architectural aspects, as position within the building, method of execution, building materials, the second group are related to aspects of Fine Art for the calligraphy as type of font, size and proportion ...Both characteristics contributed to enhancing the various functions provided by this writings as defining the building, and its creator, or its symbolic significance of meaning according to building type or inscriptions' position or theme. The research aims to detect and identify design characteristics of employing inscriptions within the architecture of the Congregational mosques and Multifunctional complexes (Which include the addition of a school or Mausoleum, or both at the mosque) which are related architectural aspects, and to show dissimilarity of those characteristics depending on the local styles within Islamic architecture, in order to come up with recommendations to help implementing this knowledge in future designs of contemporary Islamic architecture. Keywords: Islamic architecture, written inscriptions, Arabic calligraphy.

Repeatability of a Checklist for Evaluating Cab Design Characteristics of Heavy Mobile Equipment

Risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal discomfort and disorders during the operation of heavy mobile equipment include whole-body vibration and awkward and sustained joint postures of the shoulders, neck, and trunk. Cab design may influence awkward postures of the joints, and task duration may influence duration of exposure to awkward and static postures and whole-body vibration. To reduce exposure to risk factors related to the interface between cab design and task, it may be necessary for manufacturers to address cab design. This study assessed the repeatability of a cab design checklist developed to evaluate various design characteristics that can influence exposure to risk factors for musculoskeletal discomfort. The ability of the cab design checklist to identify posture-related deficiencies of design was also assessed. The checklist was used by two administrators across 10 pieces of heavy construction equipment. Video analysis was performed to quantify postures of the neck, shoulder, and trunk; correlation analysis was used to determine whether specific questions from the checklist were associated with the identification of awkward postures. The repeatability assessment resulted in kappa coefficients ranging from 0.52 to 1.0 (good-to-excellent reproducibility) across each piece of equipment, and an overall kappa coefficient of 0.77 (excellent reproducibility) when considering all equipment together. Results from the correlation analysis showed that shoulder flexion posture was correlated with scores from the cab design checklist. However, results of the cab design checklist were not significantly correlated with shoulder abduction or awkward postures of the neck and trunk. Results suggest that the cab design checklist may be useful for identifying cab design characteristics that need further improvement and for identifying design characteristics that increase shoulder flexion. The strength of the repeatability assessment suggests that outcomes of the cab design checklist administered by different individuals may be consistent, independent of the type of equipment being assessed.

Designing databases as tools for higher-level learning: Insights from instructional systems design

This article reports on a naturalistic study of online and CD-ROM databases to identify design characteristics that are important to high school students' use of these information resources for higher-level learning as well as for information access and retrieval. Primary data collection techniques were interactive observations of 92 students and informal interviews with 54 students, 4 teachers, and the school library media specialist. The article presents an inventory of specific problems students experienced while using 7 CD-ROM and 18 online databases and discusses implications for database design based on the study results. By showing how the lens of instructional systems design can be applied to the study of a specific information technology, this article provides a new perspective on database design and suggests how electronic information resources can be designed to promote higher-level learning through enhancing students' opportunities to process, evaluate, and apply the information they retrieve from these resources.

ENERGY COMSUMPTION IN STEAM BLANCHERS1

ABSTRACTThe energy consumption of several steam blanchers was monitored to identify design characteristics which are most energy conserving. Hydrostatically sealing the units to prevent escape of steam was shown to be significant in reducing energy usage. Results are compared with estimates of energy efficiency found in the literature and are shown to be in agreement.